The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) has revealed that the Maldivian patients requiring critical advanced medical treatment from abroad will depart to India on Monday.

Speaking to press on Saturday night, the Covid-19 task force’s spokesperson, Mohamed Mabrook Aziz revealed that 37 individuals will be sent abroad on Monday and that this includes 25 critically-ill patients and their helpers.

They are scheduled to depart from Velana International Airport (VIA) to Cochin, India.

When inquired whether they will be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine period in India, Mabrook revealed that they will not be quarantined.

Further, he revealed that the country’s universal health insurance scheme “Aasandha” with the joint efforts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are working to send 51 additional patients who require advanced medical treatment unavailable in the Maldives.

On June 23, India approved the Maldivian government’s request to facilitate the travel of critically-ill Maldivian patients to the neighboring country for treatment.

Following this, Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid expressed gratitude to the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, for facilitating travel.

The High Commission of India in Maldives revealed that those who have been given the green light to travel to India include cancer patients seeking radiation therapy.

A majority of Maldivians seek medical treatment in India every year.

Aasandha company’s Managing Director Mariyam Shafeeq also revealed that discussions were underway with the Foreign Ministry and the governments of India and Sri Lanka to facilitate travel for these patients, and that all expenses will be paid by the health insurance scheme.